Seeing in stereoscopic depth relies on the slight differences in the images in the two eyes resulting from their horizonal separation. As the inputs from the eyes are first combined in the primary visual cortex (V1), human brain imaging can be used to investigate the earliest stages of processing. To perceive depth, binocular neurons in V1 need balanced input from the two eyes, likely established by mutual inhibition, whereby activation of one eye inhibits the other eye. Thus, when input from the two eyes is comparable, both will contribute equally to binocular vision to promote 3D vision.

In the rare case that both eyes fail to develop, there is a complete absence of light input to the visual system at all stages of development. This raises the question of how the brain utilises the cortical and subcortical areas that would usually process visual information. It has been shown in a number of studies that the ‘visual cortex’ of congenitally blind people is used to process ‘high-level’ auditory information such as language. In this talk I will present a series of fMRI studies in which we attempt to understand how auditory information reaches the occipital lobe.

While damage to the primary visual cortex, often due to a stroke, leads to loss of the visual field contralateral to the damaged cortex, there are currently few opportunities for rehabilitation. In my previous talk I laid out how we have used multi-modal MRI to uncover the pathways likely to be carrying visual information after damage to primary visual cortex. The aim of this talk, therefore, is to consider the effects of visual training on both behavioural and neural structures.

Damage to the primary visual cortex leads to loss of the visual field contralateral to the damaged cortex. However, in spite of this loss, some patients are still able to detect visual information about stimuli presented within their blind field. A growing area of research aims to exploit this residual visual function to try to improve visual performance through rehabilitation programmes stimulating the blind field. However, to optimise such programmes it is important to understand the pathways through which this information is conveyed.

Ce projet est financé par la Fondation Pour l'Audition.

Pour en savoir plus, lire l'article sur le site internet de la Fondation Pour l'Audition

Abstract: It’s widely thought that metacognitive processes monitor and represent the uncertainty in different parts of the mind and brain, enabling sophisticated forms of cognitive and behavioural control. However, theoretical models have recently stressed that metacognition and uncertainty aren’t the same thing – and there may be a variety of representations about uncertainty or ‘precision’ throughout our perceptual and cognitive systems that are separate from those involved in subjective metacognition and conscious reflection.

Mini symposium on the development and plasticity of the sensory brain. 

Les paysages sonores naturels et la perte auditive

Les paysages sonores naturels sont ici définis comme des arrangements complexes de sons produits par des sources biologiques comme les oiseaux et les insectes, et des sources géophysiques tels que le vent, la pluie, un cours d'eau, façonnés par des effets de propagation sonore spécifiques à l'habitat comme la diffraction (diffusion des ondes lorsqu'elles traversent ou contournent un obstacle) ou encore la réverbération (

Comment est née cette initiative ?

Le contexte actuel a motivé notre décision. Ce projet s'est construit spontanément avec l'intention d'exprimer notre solidarité vis-à-vis de nos collègues Ukrainiens. Nous avons donc envoyé un message à faculté de psychologie de l'Université Taras Shevchenko de Kiev pendant l'été 2023.